Check-hook



(No Model.) R. N. MARTZ.

GHEGK HOOK. No. 498,281. Patented May 30, 1893.

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by ajlla/ssun/ lllll L W12 NESSES I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RANDOLPH MARTZ, OF FREDERICK, MARYLAND.

CHECK-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,281, dated May 30, 1893. Application filed February 28, 1893. Serial No. 464,090. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RANDOLPH N. MARTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frederick, in the county of Frederick, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Hooks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The objects of my improvement are to produce a simple and inexpensive check-rein hook for harness, wherein therein may be held in position with requisite security when it is desired to have it confined therein, and be readily and easily released by one finger or the hand of a person whenoccasion may require. I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1, is a perspective view of a checkhook constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical sec-' tion of the same. Fig. 3, is a side view of the same, with the parts in position to either introduce a rein into the hook or to let it out therefrom. Fig. 4., is a longitudinal vertical section of the check-hook slightly modified in form and provided with a coiled spring in place of a sheet-metal spring.

In said drawings A represents a hook having its lower portion provided with suitable means'to secure it to a harness saddle. In the present instance said meansconsists of a stem or made integral therewith. The upper portion of said stem is preferably made square to prevent it from turning in a correspondingly formed perforation made in the top of the saddle, and the lower portion is cylindrical and screw-threaded, and has thereon a nut b. The upper portion of the hook is bifurcated or slotted to provide two parallel horns A that constitute guides for a U shaped rein-holder and lock DJ Said combined reinholder and lock has its lower or curved portion received between two flat lugs a projecting up from the base of the hook; a groove being thus produced in said base for the reception of the lower portion of the rein-holder D which is pivoted to the lugs to? by means of a pin 0. The location of said pin is on the vertical axis of the rear branch d of the reinholder D, so that the front branch (1 will by gravity remain normally leaning or bearing against the inner face of the hook A. But to assist the rein-holder to remain with its branches standing vertically between the horns A of the hook, a sheet-metal spring f,

is placed within the groove in the base of the hook, between the flat lugs a Said spring has its front end secured to the base by means of a screw or rivet g passing through said spring and base. The rear end of the spring f is bent upward and made to bear against the rear branch 61 of the rein-holder D, at a point higher than the pivot pin 0 and forces the front branch 61 normally against the slightly grooved inner surface of the body of the hook A.

In place of a sheet-metal spring, a coilspring j as shown in Fig. 4, may be used to keep the branches of the rein-holder vertically; although, as before stated their tendency is to remain in said position on account of the location of the pivot pin 0, and also of the pressure normally exerted by the checkrein R, shown dotted in Fig. 1, against the rear face of the front branch d. The upper end of said branch (1 is slightly bent forward to facilitate the introduction under or the removal of the check-rein from under the hook, said removal being easily done by a person with, or without gloves, by inserting a finger, or the hand under the rein and following the hook until the end of the slot therein is reached. The rein will then jump out free. Although the check-rein is easily removed by hand, it cannot accidentally leave the hook on account of the rear branch d which operates as a look upon said rein.

- Having now fully described my invention, I claim 1. A-check-rein retaining device consisting of a hook having its upper end bifurcated, and a U shaped rein-holder hinged to the base of said hook and having its branches nor- 5 mally standing within the bifurcation formed in the upper end of said hook substantially as described.

2. In a check-hook, the combination of a hook having its upper end slotted, a U shaped rein-holder hinged to the base of said hook and having its branches within the slotted end of the hook, and a spring bearing against said reinholder substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RANDOLPH N. MARTZ. Witnesses:

HARRY BLACKSTON, HIRAM R. HEcK. 

